MCHHSA MN Counties Health and Human Service Accountants (formerly AMSSA): January 2018

Parental Fees assessed by the state

Morning! After the AMSSA regional meeting last week and the discussion around parental fees assessed by the state, I want to dig deeper. I believe that this has been asked before in a difference way, but here it goes…

Parental fees that are not state assessed---what is your method for figuring/determining the fees?
Has your agency weighed the pros/cons or your method of assessing?
Are you willing to share your policy?

I am asking these questions because we currently use the CS worksheet to determine ours and after the conversation about the state assessed fees, I’m not sure that we are accomplishing our goal by using this method. We are hitting the families that are normally at rock bottom with huge fees in comparison to their actual means, I struggle with this. I’d appreciate any feedback, good or bad, that you are willing to share.

Thank you!

Jen Albjerg

Fiscal Manager

Grant County Social Services

Grant County Highway Dept

Region IV Adult Mental Health Initiative

Email: jennifer.albjerg@co.grant.mn.us

Phone: 218-685-8218

Fax: 218-685-4978

Depreciation vs. other for major remodel

We're looking at doing a major remodel. Can you tell me if it's more cost effective for Social Services to pay increased rent to cover the cost or to expense it out & take the depreciation over a period of time? And why? Would this apply to the furniture also?

Thanks for your help.

marlene.remmel@co.meeker.mn.us

Family Support Grant Question

We are entering our 2018 service arrangements for the Family Support Grant (BC 535). What kind of proof are other counties requiring when reimbursing the families for funds spent on this? We are specifically questioning when the family is paying a sitter or for respite and then requesting reimbursement.